Apparatus for successively treating a series of articles



F. L. SMITH March 8, 1960 APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY TREATING A SERIES OF ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1957 March 8, 1960 F. L. SMITH 2,927,521

APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY TREATING A SERIES OF ARTICLES Filed Aug. 27, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet z fWw 92mph ,4. M

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F. L. SMITH March 8, 1960 APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY TREATING A SERIES OF ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 27, 1957 March 8, 1960 L. SMITH 2,927,521

APPARATUS FOR SUCCESSIVELY TREATING A SERIES OF ARTICLES Filed Aug. 27, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 U ed S ews. Paw s c APPARATUS. FOR SUCCESSIVELY TREATING A SERIES OF ARTICLES Frederick Lewis Smith, 'Leyton,

signor to Rcly-A-Bell Burglar & Limited,

Application August 27, 1957, Serial No. 680,502

Claims priority, application Great Britain September 13, 1956 Claims. (21. 95-43 This invention concerns an apparatus for treatinga plurality of articles in succession and is particularly concerned with processing exposed photographic films. However, the invention also has other applications such, for example, as in the chemical industry, in electroplating and for paint-finishing articles.

Yarious proposals have hitherto been made for automatically processing exposed photographic films or plates by an apparatus wherein a film or plate is suspended from an arm which radiates from a central, vertical shaft ofthe apparatus. Arranged in an are around the shaft are tanks containing treatment liquids for processing the film or plate. It is required that each film or plate is immersed in each tank in succession the film being thereby processed. To this end in the known apparatus referred to it has been arranged that all the radial arms carried by a plate which rises and falls on the shaft thereby raising and lowering all the arms at the same time. The plate (and the arms carried thereby) is rotat able on the shaft. The procedure is that the'plate is raised and all the arms with it so that all the films are lifted out of all the liquid baths and then the plate is rotated to advance all the arms to the next tank ahead whereupon the plate (and all the arms) are lowered so that the films are again'immersed.

The known apparatus suifers' from several defects. Thus, either the period of treatment in each tank is the same or (if some tanks are of greater angular extent than others) the film will be raised out of the tank during treatment therein which is normally undesirableparticularly in photographic work. Again it is not possible readily to vary the number of treatment tanks and the duration of each treatment to suit particular operatmg conditions. Furthermore with the known arrangements either complex agitators have been provided for the liquid in the tanks or reliance has been placed in the small stirring effect due to lifting and lowering the films. With relatively large tanks such efifect is negligible though with small tanks the effect may be worthwhile.

The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of simple and robust construction which enables the time of treatment in the several tanks to be different while ensuring that the films are not withdrawn from the except when going from one tank to the next unless this is a specific requirement of the process.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus in which the times of treatment in each bath is variable and selectable in a simple way.

Yet a further object is the provision of an apparatus wherein the liquid in the tanks is caused to flow over the films in a simple manner.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein the actuation of the several parts of the apparatus and the control therefor is mechanically performed from a single power source so that the apparatus is of simple and robust construction. p

According to this invention an apparatus for the 2,927,521 Patented 8, 12.60

purpose stated which comprises a plurality of treatment zones (e.g. liquid tanks) separated by upstanding partitions (eg. the sides of the tanks) is characterised in that the articles to be treated are suspended from an endless line of pivotal arms and there is means for advancing the line of arms step-by-step to carry the articles through the treatment zones so that at each advance an arm is brought next to each partition and, for each. partition, there is means to raise the arm next approaching thereto, the arrangement beingthat only when said arms have been raised can the arm-advancing means become operative so that the raised arms are carried across the partitions when the other arms are advanced through the treatment zones.

An apparatus for processing exposed dental X-ray film plates in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings whereof:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to this invention,

Fig.2 is a front view, partly in section, of the apparatus of Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a plan view, of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section, to a larger size of a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Y 7

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V V of Fig. 4, parts being omitted,

Figs. G'and 7 are views corresponding respectively to Figs. 4- and 5 showing the apparatus in another operative position, and

Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Figs. 5 and 7 showing yet another operative position.

Referring to the drawings: the apparatus is mounted on the top 1 of a cabinet 2 so that it is at a convenient height above the ground. X-ray plates 3 (Fig. 2) are carried by plate holders 4 which are suspended from the outercnds of radially-extending arms 5 which arepivotally mounted to a turn-table 6 by pins 7. The arms are prevented from falling. below the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2 (see also Figs. 4 and 6) by engagement of tail 9 with plate 10 of turntable 6. I I

The turntable 6 is advanced step-by-step in an anti.- clockwise direction as seen in plan in Fig. 3 as herein after more fully described. The X-ray plates are suspended from the arms 5 by the operator inthe loading position indicated at 12 in Fig.1 and the plates are then carried round with table 6 so that each' plate is passed through separate liquid tanks 13 to 17 and is carried over partitions between the tanks for transfer from one tank to another in succession. Additionally the plates are washed in zone 19 and finally the treated plates are withdrawn from a zone 18, within which water drips from the plates, and brought to an ejector or unloading position generally indicated at 20. In the particular arrangement being described the X-ray plates are successively immersed in the liquid in a developing tank 13, are then passed through the washing zone 19 and there'- after' transported in succession into a fixingv tank 14; rinsing tanks 15, 16 and 17, to tank 17' in which water drips oil the films and to a drying zone 18.

Thermostatically controlled electric immersion heaters 21 are fitted to each tank or to selected tanks to maintain the liquid therein at a required temperature. The heaters may be of any known or convenient construction and those illustrated are given by way of example only.

In passing through zone 19 each plate is washed by; jets of water directed towards both sides of the plate from upstanding pipes 22 as is clear from Fig. 3. The

to a larger size, of the apparatus drying zone 18 may be provided by a hot air blower,

which" directs a stream of warm air in an upwardv direction over the suspended X-ray plates.

The turntable 6 is supported from the top 1 being mounted on a tubular shaft 23 which is rotatable on an upstanding spindle 24 which is secured to the top 1. The shaft 23 carries at its lower end a spur gear 25 and there is freely mounted on the tube 23 a sleeve 26 which carries a platform 27. Secured to the marginal edge of the platform 27 are pillars 28 each having a roller 29, the rollers lying immediately beneath arms 5. The rollers 29 are provided to raise the arms 5 so that the suspended X-ray plates are carried to above the partitions 30/37 between the tanks and the several zones as will hereinafter be described. Accordingly there is a roller 29 for each partition. If platform 27 is provided with a series of holes to receive the screwed stems of pillars 28 (one hole being provided for each arm) the pillars are readily secured to, and removed from, the platform to suit different tank arrangements, a pillar being provided opposite each tank partition.

The platform 27 is capable of rising and falling movement and of rotation, the sleeve 26 being mounted on the shaft 23'to this end.

Projecting radially from the sleeve 26 is an arm 38 which carries a cam follower 39, the follower engaging with a face cam 40 mounted on a vertical shaft 41 which is driven from an electrical motor 42 through reduction gearing 43. With rotation of the cam 40 the sleeve 26 is raised and lowered as will be later described with the result that the platform 27 and the pillars 28 perform a similar movement. When the platform 27 is raised the rollers 29 engage with certain of the arms 5 with the result that these arms are raised, pivoting about pins 7. Similarly, when the platform 27 is lowered said certain arms 5 are lowered.

A pair of flat bars 44 are secured to the undersurface of the platform 27, the lower ends of the bars being joined to a horizontal flat bar 45. The bar 45 has a hole through which the shaft 23 freely passes. Each 'of the bars 44 is formed with a local recess 47 so that in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the bars 44 are free of engagement of the teeth of the gear 25.

The gear 25 is held against rotation during the greater part of the rotation of cam 40, a locking finger 48 being urged by spring 49 into engagement with the teeth of the gear 25. Finger 48 is carried by a pivotal arm 50 which is engageable, at 51, by a cam 52 which is rotatable with the cam 40. The arrangement is that as the cam 40 rotates cam 52 is carried round with it and in a predetermined position of the cam 40 the cam 52 actuates arm 50 to disengage finger 48 from spur gear 25.

The platform 27 is capable only of limited angular movement. The arms 5 are equidistantly spaced and it is arranged that as the arms are moved forward stepby-step an arm is brought next to each of the partitions between the tanks and the treatment zones. For each such arm there is provided one of the pillars 28 and rollers 29 and it is arranged that the rollers are in a position to engage those arms which next approach the partitions so that when the platform 27 is raised those arms are raised to lift the X-ray plates above the partitions. The action of raising platform 27 lifts bars 44 so that one of them engage gear 25 so that the platform is connected to the turntable 6. Accordingly when the platform is rotated (as later described) the raised arms are carried over the partitions and the other arms, which carry X-ray plates immersed in the liquids of the several tanks, are moved through the liquid baths so that the processing is uninterrupted. Thereafter the platform is disconnected from the table 6 and returned to its initial position ready to engage the series of arms which are now next to the partitions. The mechanism whereby the sequence of operations which has just been described is carried out will now be described.

While the cam follower 39 is on the fiat part 53 of the face cam 40, sleeve 26 and platform 27 are in their lower position and the rollers 29 are .919 in elation to arms 5 in the position shown in Fig. 4. Consequently the arms 5 are horizontal and the X-ray films are suspended within the tanks. However, as the cam follower runs up the slope 54 with rotation of the cam 40 the sleeve 26 and the platform 27 are raised. During the initial lifting movement, as shown in Fig. 7 the follower 39 is urged clockwise thereby rotating platform 27 till an arm 58 carried by the'platform engages stop pillar 59. In this position rollers 29 are immediately beneath those arms 5 which are next to be raised. Raising platform 27 has the effect of lifting the rollers 29 and those arms 5 which are to be carried over the partitions. As the platform 27 rises one of bars 44 engages the teeth of the spur gear 25 as shown in Fig. 6 and thereby the turntable 6 is connected to the platform 27. Having coupled the table and platform together cam 52 engages arm 50 to release finger 48 (Fig. 7) so that the turntable 6 is rotatable and while follower 39 is on raised part 55 of cam 40 maintaining this coupling, a roller 56 engages a pusher rod 57 (Fig. 8) fixed to one of the bars 44 thereby turning platform 27 anti-clockwise through a predetermined angle limited by arm 58 engaging pillar stop 69. This movement is applied, through the agency of bars 44 and spur gear 25 to the turntable 6. Consequently the turntable advances the arms to said angular extent while platform 27 is moved forward to maintain the rollers 29 in engagement with those arms which have previously been raised. During this forward movement the raised arms, and the X-ray plates suspended therefrom, are moved over the top of the partitions between the tanks. When the roller 56, which is carried round with the cam 40 of which it forms a part, has fully rotated platform 27 and turntable 6 the follower 39 runs down surface 61 of cam 40. Consequently the sleeve 26 and the platform 27 are lowered and the arms 5 which were raised are allowed to fall so that the X-ray plates are immersed in the liquids of the next succeeding tank to that in which they have previously been processed. After the spur gear 25 has been indexed forward as described cam 52 moves away from the arm 50 so that the finger 48 engages the spur gear and holds the turntable 6 against further rotation.

When the platform 27 is lowered as described in the preceding paragraph bars 44 disengage the spur gear 25 so that the platform and turntable are uncoupled. The sequence of operations detailed above is then repeated.

With operation of the driving motor 42 the cam 46 is continuously rotated and as a consequence the platform 27 is intermittently raised and lowered. The platform 27 is also intermittently connected to the turntable 6 in synchronism with the rising and falling movement of the platform 27 and moreover there is imparted to the platform 27 a step-by-step forward movement which is effected while the turntable 6 is connected to the platform so that all the arms are advanced by one step. The mechanism also provides that having effected said forward movement of all the arms the platform 27 is disconnected from the turntable 6 and thereupon the platform 27 is returned to its original position i.e. the platform 27 performs a backwards and forwards movement and during the forward movement it is connected to the turntable 6 so that the turntable 6 is also advanced. The mechanism is fully automatic and is of simple and robust construction so that the mechanism when brought into operation will continue to function without difficulty, the sequence of control being continuously maintained.

The mechanism described has the advantage that the arms 5 are positively actuated by rollers 29 from cam 40. However, in an alternative mechanism platform 27 has a radial arm, one for each partition, corresponding to a roller 29 and it is arranged that the arms engage above tails 9 so that as platform 27 is permitted to fall by a cam, corresponding to cam 40, the arms 5 engaged by the radial arms are raised.

T e, a p tu e ab es the time of treatment in the ment in tank 14 is three times as long as in tanks 15, 16, 17

because the length of tank 14 is three times the length of each of tanks 15, 16 and 17 while the time of treatment in tank 18 is slightly less than twice as long as the time of treatment in tank 14. During the entire process the films remain submerged in the liquids of the tanks except when they are carried over to the next tank ahead. However, if lifting a film out of a tank during treatment was required this could readily be done by appropriately providing a pillar 28 and roller 29 on platform 27.

By replacing, or re-a'rranging, the tanks the times of treatment in each tank may be changed. It is then only necessary to re-position the pillars 28 on the platform 27 to obtain lifting of the arms at the appropriate times.

Because with the larger tanks the films are moved through the liquids the latter are agitated and caused to how over the films. Thus, during treatment in tank 18 the liquid will be so agitated by five different films.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a'plurality of articles comprising a plurality of treatment tanks arranged side-by-side and in a ring, a carrier within the ring of tanks, a plurality of article-suspending arms pivotally secured to the carrier for vertical movement, a platform, cam means for adjusting the platform vertically towards and away from the carrier, for each partition between the tanks a member carried by the platform to engage the arm next to the partition so that when the platform is vertically adjusted the arm is pivoted to raise the article suspended therefrom to above the partition, means for coupling the carrier to the platform when the platform is vertically adjusted to raise the arms which are next to the tank partitions and means for reciprocating the platform in one direction when coupled to the carrier thereby to advance all the arms and for reciprocating the platform alone in the opposite direction when uncoupled from the carrier.

2. Apparatus for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of articles comprising a plurality of treatment tanks arranged side-by-side and in a ring, a carrier within the ring of tanks, a plurality of article-suspending arms pivotally secured to the carrier for vertical movement, a rotary platform, a rotary face cam having a high-lift part with inclined rise and fall surfaces at its ends, a cam follower carried by the platform, means for driving the cam thereby to adjust the platform vertically towards and away from the carrier the side thrusts on the cam follower from the rise and fall surfaces of the cam oscillating the platform, for each partition between the tanks a member carried by the'platform to engage the arm next to the partition so that when the platform'is vertically adjusted the arm is pivoted to raise the article suspended therefrom to above the partition, and means for coupling the carrier to'the platform when the platform is vertically adjusted to raise arms which are next to the tank partitions, the side thrust from said cam oscillating the platform in one direction when coupled to the carrier thereby to advance all the arms and the side thrust oscillating the platform in the opposite direction when uncoupledfrom the carrier.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the carrier is normally held against movement by means which is actuated to release the carrier when the latter has been coupled to the platform.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said coupling means comprises a bar secured to the platform to engage the teeth of a spur ear secured to the arm carrier when the platform is raised.

5., Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each armengaging member carried by the platform comprises a pillar removably secured to the platform and having a roller to engage beneath the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,676 Koppin Dec. 23, 192-1- 1,970,447 Finston et al Aug. 14, 1934 2,183,742 Hershberg 2. Dec. 19, 1939 2,194,345 Winans Mar. 19, 1940 2,325,120 Forse July 27, 1943 2,512,643 Hannon June 27, 1950 2,527,959 Quinn Oct. 31, 1950 

